Sunday, June 21 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil - (Happy Father’s Day to Cal)

We slept in until 8:30 this morning.  Later we had a delicious breakfast with fruits that were vine ripened.  Vine ripened bananas, and fresh squeezed orange (no sugar added) taste so different and are good.  Pedro’s wife Daniela and two son, Felipe (almost 3) & Rafael (1 ½), came over about 10:00 and by 11:00 we (Vittorio, Daniela & Felipe) left for a drive around town. We drove to the top of the mountain which you see from their kitchen and dining room window, to give us an overview of the city.  What a view! 

The Athletic Club behind the Capparelli Apartment

Panorama of Belo Horizonte from the Hill Top

We went to the downtown area of the city to walk through the central city market. This was an indoor market much like we have in our larger US cities; however they also had animals like the Souk’s in the Middle East.  It was extremely interesting.  Later we walked through one of the city parks before having a coffee and snack at an art museum. 

Mounted Police near the Market

The Central Market (Mercado)

Cashews



Vegetable Stand



The Whole Pork including Feet, Tail and Ears



Peppers of all types



Pineapple and Watermelon



Slicing Pineapple

One of the many Belo Horizonte Parks - Imperial Palms

Museum where we had a Snack

We returned back to the house around 2:30.  By then family members (some of the same people we met last night) had begun gathering for their traditional Sunday “lunch” as they call it.  We began with snacks and drinks having no idea what time we would be eating “lunch”.  Pedro’s brother (a lawyer) and wife (anesthesiologist) came for the afternoon/evening.  It was around 4:00 when Pedro SKYPED from Saudi to chat with everyone in his family.  Today he chatted with us as well.  It was so good to see him and visit with him. We are sorry to have missed him, and he feels the same, but at least we chatted for a while.  It was about 5:30 when we sat down to a delicious meal of fish & shrimp as well as pork ribs, potatoes, and salad followed by 3 different deserts.  They do not miss deserts!  

Pedro's Son Running in the Park

Dinner with the Capparellis and Family

Pedro's Brother and Wife with Pedro's Wife and Son

Pedro's Wife and Children

This past week was the beginning of the South America soccer tournament - COPA America Chile 2015, being played in different locations in Chile.  Since we have been in South America we have seen advertisements for the games.  Tonight Brazil played, so everyone was tuned to the TV, some watching more closely than others, but all in tune with the score.  Brazil won over Venezuela, 2-1.  So they are happy!

We could not ask for more generous hospitality.  Even those who do not know much English, try so hard to express themselves to you. We had a great evening with everyone.